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Bospoldervos (Florentijn Hofman, 2020).
Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
16 m long, 10 m high, 65 tons.
"Bospolder" was the old name of the area that is now this part of Rotterdam. Friom there, the fox entered the city. The plastic bag is a reference to the market nearby.
This shot goes out to my friend Javier, who just increased the size of his family by one late last night. Cheers to him and his family, and welcome to the world Alec!
The San Francisco Bay is a special place. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s special. I had a friend and college shoot me an email about trying to get out of a photographic funk and coming back off a hiatus. He was specifically asking me for ideas regarding motivation. “where do you go when you need to be inspired?” he asked me. The list of places which would qualify for me is long indeed, and the geography that list would cover is vast. But living where we do, there’s no place like SF to provide endless possibilities.
Whether your preference is photographing people, architecture, landscapes, icons of the globe, or a study on what happens when man and nature meet, there is no place like it.
I have traveled to this spot at least 7 times attempting to catch fog like this, each time the fog being too high with zero visibility. Last week, on my birthday, I finally was able to witness this event first hand. If you’ve never stood in the Marin Headlands and looked out towards San Francisco swallowed up in an ocean of fog… well, I don’t know what to tell you besides you’re missing out.
Classic view of Myrtos Beach, from a viewpoint along the coast road. Looks like the number of cars and sunbeds has increased since our last visit to Kefalonia, though we didn't venture down the steep and winding road to the beach this time.
The hot and sunny weather seems a bit like a dream, especially after the very heavy showers today which have been hampering our garden workers and turning the areas where they're stripping turf for new paving, to mud!
Canon 50D | F11 | ISO 100 | 24mm | 1/30
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About
I was surprised by how much more dust rolled in last night. I forgot to close the windows and well things got a little dusty.
I was planning on heading out this morning to check out this location and well the dust haze on the horizon made a nice little orb as hoped. It lasted a few minutes. The things you do for that one moment.
Processing
Close to as is. Camera preset to Landscape. Punch, sharpness, slight noise reduction, saturation increase, curves.
Vineyards on Lanzarote are located on post-volcanic terrains and a special (and simple) infrastructure is used to increase humidity on the ground. The previous shot in my stream presents a different type of structure.
It looks best full-screen so please press "L" and check it
Yosemite National Park is a United States national park lying in the western Sierra Nevada of Northern California. The park covers an area of 747,956 acres (1,168.681 sq mi; 302,687 ha; 3,026.87 km2) Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes, mountains, glaciers, and biological diversity. Almost 95% of the park is designated wilderness.
On average, about 4 million people visit Yosemite each year, and most spend the majority of their time in the 5.9 square miles (15 km2) of Yosemite Valley. The park set a visitation record in 2016, surpassing 5 million visitors for the first time in its history.
Yosemite is one of the largest and least fragmented habitat blocks in the Sierra Nevada, and the park supports a diversity of plants and animals. The park has an elevation range from 2,127 to 13,114 feet (648 to 3,997 m) and contains five major vegetation zones: chaparral and oak woodland, lower montane forest, upper montane forest, subalpine zone, and alpine. Of California's 7,000 plant species, about 50% occur in the Sierra Nevada and more than 20% within Yosemite. There is suitable habitat for more than 160 rare plants in the park, with rare local geologic formations and unique soils characterizing the restricted ranges many of these plants occupy.
The geology of the Yosemite area is characterized by granitic rocks and remnants of older rock. About 10 million years ago, the Sierra Nevada was uplifted and then tilted to form its relatively gentle western slopes and the more dramatic eastern slopes. The uplift increased the steepness of stream and river beds, resulting in formation of deep, narrow canyons. About one million years ago, snow and ice accumulated, forming glaciers at the higher alpine meadows that moved down the river valleys. Ice thickness in Yosemite Valley may have reached 4,000 feet (1,200 m) during the early glacial episode. The downslope movement of the ice masses cut and sculpted the U-shaped valley that attracts so many visitors to its scenic vistas today.
The name "Yosemite" (meaning "killer" in Miwok) originally referred to the name of a renegade tribe which was driven out of the area (and possibly annihilated) by the Mariposa Battalion. Before then the area was called "Ahwahnee" ("big mouth") by indigenous people [Wikipedia.org]
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Amazing shoes to increase your power level @ [ Kottr ]
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thesanguinetree.wordpress.com/2022/10/08/showdown/
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It was pouring rain when I visited.
Excerpt from Wikipedia:
It is the oldest museum in New Zealand.
The museum underwent extensive renovations during 2011 and 2012, reopening to the public with a new name, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum in December 2012. A competition had been put to the community to submit possible complementary names for the new building, with the name Toitu suggested and submitted by the Holmes family. This name, meaning "to remain unchanged", represent the area of water, land, and sky of this particular area, and was the name of a former stream which ran close to where the museum now stands.
The improvements include a new structure attached to the northern end of the former building and increased exhibition size. The north wing includes a new main entrance, gift shop, and cafe, as well as housing Josephine, and is officially called the Josephine Foyer.
"Cold Duck" (Kalte Ente) is the name of a wine-based bottled drink of German origin. *
At least two of these three ducks do indeed look really cold. Nonetheless, an increasing number of ducks now stay here in our area in winter rather than migrating south.
They are riding out turbulent winter flooding on the Swiss stretch of the ordinarily placid River Wiese. It is a Swiss tributary of the Rhine.
* COLD DUCK (Kalte Ente):
Cold Duck wine-based bottled drinks are sold in the USA and other places, but the origin is German.
It is a fun story.
From:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_Duck
"The recipe was based on a German legend involving Prince Clemens Wenceslaus of Saxony ordering the mixing of all the dregs of unfinished wine bottles with Champagne. The wine produced was given the name Kaltes Ende ("cold end" in German), until it was altered to the similar-sounding term Kalte Ente meaning "cold duck".[1] The exact recipe now varieswinter, but the original combined one part of Mosel wine, one part Rhine wine with one part of Champagne, seasoned with lemons and balm mint."
Location: River Wiese, Basel City BS Switzerland.
In my album: Dan's Birds.
This abstract piece titled “Ever Increasing Circles” was my submission for the Artists Down Under magazine April 2020 edition challenge where the theme was Abstract.
The magazine contains this image and three of my others as well as an article I wrote on some of the new RAW processing default options in Photoshop 2020.
You can read the magazine here if interested.
Artists Down Under - April 2020
You can also find all of my Photoshop articles that have been published in the magazine on my web site here.
"Due to a sudden global increase of ghost sightings, the professional ghost hunting industry is booming!
Today we shall examine three different types of these daring professionals.
The Traditionalist
Not every haunting only affects your kitchen or basement however - powerful, very much murderous ghosts are still on the loose. This daring professional enlists the help of a helpful ancient spirit and an enchanted katana - banning hostile spirits back to their realm."
- August 2022
From ancient times to the present, philosophers have repeatedly emphasized the importance of living a frugal or minimalist life. The ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes said, “True wealth is not in increasing possessions, but in reducing one’s needs.” Mahatma Gandhi pointed to the destructive side of human greed, stating, “The Earth has enough for everyone’s needs, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” From the Buddha to Karl Marx, across the passage of time, many have expressed similar ideas. This minimalist concept in philosophy has greatly influenced the photographer, and its mark is clearly visible in his vision and framing.
The absence of color or the use of minimal composition in framing reflects the photographer’s inclination toward a minimalist approach. The fog, wrapped like a thick winter blanket, creates a serene atmosphere. In this calm and pure dramatic setting, human presence becomes secondary. Before nature, even humanity’s vast achievements become insignificant. That is why the photographer has kept humans and their architectural achievements in the background, framing the scene in a minimalist style. Here, nature is the primary subject—not humans or their constructions.
According to nihilism, or the philosophy of pessimism, human life does not has inherent purpose. Evolutionary theory has shown that humans are an unintended outcome of nature’s evolutionary process. Yet human beings, regarded as the finest of creations, continue to exploit all their knowledge and effort into seeking meaning in life. They establish ever-greater architectural structures upon the heart of nature. In proving their superiority, they seem to challenge nature itself. Viewing nature as an adversary, humanity gradually distances itself further and further from it.
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Family: Anatidae (Waterfowl Family)
Length: 1.4m to 1.6m. Wingspan: 2.08 to 2.38m. Weight:10 to 12kg.
The mute swan is one of the largest and heaviest flying birds.
The name “Mute” originates because it is noticeably less vocal than other swan species.
Adults are completely white although the neck and head feathers can become stained from tannins in the water as they feed from submerged water plants, also will graze in fields and salt marshes when not on water.
They can become a nuisance for agriculture when becoming large flocks, not just by consuming the young plants but also their large webbed feet can cause irreversible damage; to crops such as oil-seed rape and wheat.
An adult male swan is larger in size and have a larger knob on their bill than a female adult swan.
Habitat: Natural and Park lakes, reservoirs, rivers, waterways, sheltered sea coasts and Marshes.
Nesting: They gather large amounts of vegetation to build their nest, eventually a large mound of vegetation will be constructed at the waters edge. Up to eight eggs will be laid, and the female will brood for up to 36 days, one brood a year, between March to June.
Mute swans are usually very territorial, especially on small lakes and riverways. In some locations where a large area for feeding is suitable, they can be colonial.
The young swans are known as “Cygnets” and they have a blueish buff-grey plumage, until they reach adulthood in just over a year. The young cygnets grow quickly in size and only after three months will become the same size of their parents. The adult swans are very protective with their young and will easily become aggressive if threatened. It will raise its wings as it lowers its head and makes a loud, rough hiss towards any intruder, even dogs and humans will get the same aggressiveness.
Swans will usually pair for life and like other swans will grieve for a lost or dead partner or cygnet.
If a loss of a dead mate occurs the surviving swan will continue to look after the young, (or eggs) if no young cygnets are present it may stay where their counterpart lived; or leave and join a flock.
Widespread: All over the United Kingdom and mainly in central Europe. Also, across into Russia and has even been recorded nesting in Iceland. In the extreme winter weather, they may sometimes fly further south, as far south as the Mediterranean and North Africa.
In England there has been an increase of attacks on swans by out-of-control dogs, especially in parks where the birds are less territorial. It is unlawful to harm a swan and is a criminal offence in British law. All swans are placed under the highest protection due to their association with the monarch.
Populations in western Europe declined rapidly in the 13th to 19th centuries due to hunting for food. Since then in most western countries the birds are now protected against hunting so the populations have now steadily increased.
Populations in Britain could have been eradicated completely if not due to land owners semi- domesticating the birds, which were being maintained as poultry.
In the 1960’s to 80’s the population decline was due to lead poisoning by discarded lead fishing weights. Lead weights have since been replaced by less toxic alternatives and mute swan numbers have significantly increased in numbers.
It is a migratory insectivorous species breeding in mixed coniferous forest with undergrowth in northern Asia and northeastern Europe, from Finland east across Siberia to Kamchatka and south to Japan. It winters mainly in southeastern Asia, in the Indian Subcontinent, the Himalayas, Taiwan, and northern Indochina. The breeding range is slowly expanding westwards through Finland (where up to 500 pairs now breed), and it is a rare but increasing vagrant to western Europe, mainly to Great Britain There have also been a few records in westernmost North America, mostly in western Alaska.
With increased business Alaska Railroad finds itself in need of additional power. In 2024 they picked up some ex PRLX , KCS SD70MACs. Now they have purchased two ex BNSF SD70MAC from Wells Fargo. ARR 8895 is seen at MEI East St Louis IL . The other purchased unit is 8901. Was told these will be wrapped once they get to Alaska.
Rhinoceros: since 1973 the population has recovered well and increased to 544 animals around the turn of the century. To ensure the survival of the endangered species in case of epidemics animals are translocated annually from Chitwan to the Bardia National Park and the Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve since 1986. However, the population has repeatedly been jeopardized by poaching: in 2002 alone, poachers killed 37 individuals in order to saw off and sell their valuable horns.[6] Chitwan has the largest population of Indian rhinoceros in Nepal, estimated at 605 individuals out of 645 in total in the country.
Der Park ist bekannt für die Population des Panzernashorns, die bis zur Jahrtausendwende auf 544 Tiere und bis zum Frühjahr 2015 auf 645 Nashörner[6] angewachsen war. Seit 1986 werden alljährlich Tiere von Chitwan in den Bardia-Nationalpark und in das Suklaphanta-Wildreservat übersiedelt. Die Population war aber immer wieder durch Wilderei stark gefährdet: allein im Jahre 2002 haben Wilderer 37 Tiere grausam getötet, um das kostbare Horn absägen und verkaufen zu können.[1] Die letzte Zählung im Jahr 2011 ergab insgesamt 503 Nashörner im Park, im selben Zeitraum starben zwei Tiere durch Wilderer. Bei der Zählung im Frühjahr 2015 wurden 645 Tiere in Nepal gefunden[6], davon 605 im Chitwan-Nationalpark[8], während gleichzeitig in den letzten drei Jahren kein Tier durch Wilderer ums Leben kam.
This old Pieris (Forest Flame) in our garden, is doing a little better this year. I added lots of leaf mould around its roots over the winter with added sulphur chips to increase the acidity. Seems to be working 🤔
So there we were looking at the Pacific, and it dawned upon us that this is one straight line to Japan (kinda)....
The rays weren't that pronounced. Bumped up levels and increased contrast to bring it out more. Had to deal with a lot of water spray, and shooting into the sun just does not help at all. DId all I could to remove em, but there are still a lot of artifacts left. Oh well, I don't really like this shot, but thought I'll toss it up to get a feel of what you folks think..
Happy Friday!
And do view Large?
Day time duration increase from day to day (It's so good for morale don't you think ?) The sun isn't set when I go home anymore. So yesterday, it let me 20 minutes to enjoy some fantastic looking flakes. How long it was to walk home in order to fetch my macro equipment while seeing all these beauties melting on my coat. Fortuatly, I managed to catch this little one just before it got too dark ...
Gulf Of Mexico
Southwest Florida
USA
Best seen in Lightbox -
www.flickr.com/photos/42964440@N08/48692681148/in/photost...
The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a North American bird of the pelican family, Pelecanidae. It is one of three pelican species found in the Americas and one of two that feed by diving in water. It is found on the Atlantic Coast from Nova Scotia to the mouth of the Amazon River, and along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to northern Chile, including the Galapagos Islands.
The brown pelican mainly feeds on fish, but occasionally eats amphibians, crustaceans, and the eggs and nestlings of birds. It nests in colonies in secluded areas, often on islands, vegetated land among sand dunes, thickets of shrubs and trees, and mangroves.
It has been rated as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It was listed under the United States Endangered Species Act from 1970 to 2009, as pesticides such as dieldrin and DDT threatened its future in the Southeastern United States and California. In 1972, the use of DDT was banned in Florida, followed by the rest of the United States. Since then, the brown pelican's population has increased.
Water increase because of the rain, and please choose the one by which a flow becomes clear.
A mountain went to the deep valley stream.
I expect, it's clear for water, and, the quantity of water is also rich.
A heart danced in wonderful location in !
The place where a flow of water is also intense in particular at the inside for me, search
I walked.
The flow full of uplifting feeling what I have in mind did finally upstream
NI could touch.
The creature who rises at all freely flows in the condition for water.
charmed me repeatedly.
From ancient times to the present, philosophers have repeatedly emphasized the importance of living a frugal or minimalist life. The ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes said, “True wealth is not in increasing possessions, but in reducing one’s needs.” Mahatma Gandhi pointed to the destructive side of human greed, stating, “The Earth has enough for everyone’s needs, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” From the Buddha to Karl Marx, across the passage of time, many have expressed similar ideas. This minimalist concept in philosophy has greatly influenced the photographer, and its mark is clearly visible in his vision and framing.
The absence of color or the use of minimal composition in framing reflects the photographer’s inclination toward a minimalist approach. The fog, wrapped like a thick winter blanket, creates a serene atmosphere. In this calm and pure dramatic setting, human presence becomes secondary. Before nature, even humanity’s vast achievements become insignificant. That is why the photographer has kept humans and their architectural achievements in the background, framing the scene in a minimalist style. Here, nature is the primary subject—not humans or their constructions.
According to nihilism, or the philosophy of pessimism, human life does not has inherent purpose. Evolutionary theory has shown that humans are an unintended outcome of nature’s evolutionary process. Yet human beings, regarded as the finest of creations, continue to exploit all their knowledge and effort into seeking meaning in life. They establish ever-greater architectural structures upon the heart of nature. In proving their superiority, they seem to challenge nature itself. Viewing nature as an adversary, humanity gradually distances itself further and further from it.
March Point. Padilla Bay/Fidalgo Bay.
"The Washington population of the Black Oystercatcher is estimated to be roughly 400 birds. This number is probably not significantly different from the historical population, as these birds require fairly specialized habitat, which is not evenly distributed. Oystercatchers are highly vulnerable to human disturbance, oil spills, and pollution of the intertidal zone. Numbers of Black Oystercatchers on the outer coast may be higher than in the past, in part due to decreased human disturbance resulting from lighthouse automation. Numbers in inland areas, however, have declined in response to increased human activity. The Northern Pacific Coast Regional Shorebird Management Plan has identified the Black Oystercatcher as a regional species of high concern."
"The Black Oystercatcher is restricted in its range, never straying far from shores, in particular favoring rocky shorelines. It has been suggested that this bird is seen mostly on coastal stretches which have some quieter embayments, such as jetty protected areas. It forages in the intertidal zone, feeding on marine invertebrates, particularly molluscs such as mussels, limpets and chitons. It will also take crabs, isopods and barnacles. It hunts through the intertidal area, searching for food visually, often so close to the water's edge it has to fly up to avoid crashing surf. It uses its strong bill to dislodge food and pry shells open."
Today, 16 January 2022, our temperature is 0°C (windchill -4°C) just after noon. Sunrise is at 8:32 am and sunset is at 5:00 pm. A sunny day. A few days ago, our deepfreeze finally come to an end - at least until the next one - and we have been enjoying much milder weather. We do have a Special Weather Statement for tomorrow night (Monday), though - "Strong winds, snow, blowing snow and a rapid drop in temperature expected for southern Alberta. Be prepared for poor travel conditions." Hopefully, it will miss my city!
Yesterday, 15 January 2022, I was finally able to get out for a drive out of the city. The last time I had been for a drive was on 24 October 2021! I had been wanting to get out for the last few days, but each day involved having to do something in connection with the car accident on 20 December 2021, when a young driver T-boned the loaner vehicle I was driving just a couple of roads away from home. Apparently, the Police Accident Report that was made at the time of the accident had been sitting on someone's desk, waiting to be authorized. This resulted in my having to make and answer endless phone calls and emails to various people, plus having to go to the nearest Police Station to pick up a driver's copy of the now-authorized report. I was told that an accident benefit adjuster is now supposed to phone me. I have never put in an accident benefit claim for anything before. I read that ones payments will go up if a claim is put in, so I don't think it's worth doing. My only financial expenses during the week after the accident, were several taxi rides. The rest of the 'damages' were pretty much stress, including being without a vehicle for the Christmas week. Oh, and whiplash and other muscle injury, for which I won't be getting physio. So, I don't think it's worth going through all the hassle of putting in a claim and then having my payments increase..
Anyway, yesterday, I decided to go for a drive SE of the city, really just to get out and see something other than my four walls. Not a lot to see, but it was good to drive a few quiet, peaceful back roads, and on a lovely sunny day. I was surprised to see a lot less snow on the ground than I was expecting. It also surprised me, though, that I found it so very tiring to do a shortish drive like this, along familiar roads.
Now ice snow increases and eventually thickness of ice to walk on and create Ice Hut for catching fish under ice snow.
Below Ice hut boxes now put on snow by shoreline….
Keeping an eye on the Bald Eagles flying overhead..
March Point. Padilla Bay/Fidalgo Bay.
"One of the largest Great Blue Heron colonies in Western North America, this island of forest sits between Padilla and Fidalgo Bays. Vera and Bud Kinney donated this property to Skagit Land Trust in 1994 to protect the nesting herons. With the cooperation of neighboring landowners, each year, Skagit Land Trust conducts a nest count in the heronry. 546 heron nests were counted in 2016 in this relatively small area, which provides easy access to feeding grounds for the herons. Unfortunately, the Trust does not have access to all neighboring property, and therefore some heron nests are uncounted. The overall trend, however, shows increasing number of heron nests in the colony on Skagit Land Trust property and the property to which we have access -- and there are likely to be hundreds more nests on the adjacent property to which we do not have access." March Point Heronry
I created this for a team building event. I think I'll keep my day job. The numbers are meant to open a "safe" which was in reality an envelope with a hole punched in and a suitcase lock through the hole. If you notice, it's actually two puzzles which was meant to increase the difficulty in putting it together.
detail of control wheel for 1930s vintage electric load tester. 23 second exposure, light painted with red & blue gels and LED flashlight. nikon D7000 + nikkor 18-200mm.
fall 2013 paul's junkyard night photography alumni workshop hosted by troy paiva aka lost america. junkyard location not disclosed at the request of the owner.
Hooded Plover (immature)
Thinornis cucullatus
Vulnerable in Australia & Victoria
January 21st, 2021
Killarney, Victoria, Australia
Canon EOS R5
Canon EF 600mm f4L IS III USM lens
Canon EF 1.4x III Extender
A pair of immature Hooded Plovers from Killarney, yet to moult into their full adult plumage. Fantastic to see two successfully raised to fledging age, as many Hoodie chicks don't make it to day 35, when they start flying & their survival rates increase substantially.
This pair were still in the company of their parents, but would shortly head off into the world on their own.
Beach-nesting birds such as Hooded Plovers are particularly vulnerable to human activity, particularly off-leash dogs left to roam the beaches freely. Please follow signed instructions to help protect these beautiful birds from predation.
Happy Halloween!
Increase film usage.
Reduce chocolate usage.
Continue recommended daily allowance of alcohol.
Stay creative.
Stay safe.
HP5 in Caffenol.
Nikon N75 with the Soviet Vega 12b lens.
The queue to enter this palace was really crazy from morning to afternoon. It was so long.. it looked like an endless snake. As there was no barrier to structure the line up, so many people jump-queued whenever there was a gap in the line. In fact I had tourists appearing in front and behind me out of nowhere. All they did was to ask the people in front of me some general questions and pretend as if they knew them and started to blend in. Tourists like me who queued up most probably thought that they were friends however when I actually understood the languages they are speaking in and their intentions, that made my blood boiled a bit haha but I decided to keep calm and carry on :) Just sad that these people simply have no courtesy and manner to queue. Sometimes holidays do get me into a bit of a whingy mood lol!
Anyway you most probably think that this place looks pretty quiet in this shot but honestly it was packed & I have to wait quite a while for the right moment to avoid anyone in the foreground ;)
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About
The Interior Court Of The Palace of Versailles, France
The Shot
3 exposure shots (+2..0..-2 EV) in RAW taken handheld
Camera :: Canon 5D Mark II
Lens :: Canon 15mm F/2.8 USM Fisheye
Photomatix
- Tonemapped generated HDR using detail enhancer option
Photoshop
- Added 3 layer mask effect of 'curves' to increase the contrast
- Added 1 layer mask effect of 'saturation' (reds & yellows) to enhance the building
- Added 1 layer mask effect of 'saturation' (blues and cyans) to adjust the sky
- Added 1 layer mask effect of 'saturation' (blues) to desaturate the floor
- Used 'free transform' (warp) to correct some fisheye distortion
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Increased tonnage lead the A&A to acquire RS-3u #114 to replace the GE centercabs in freight service. On Sept. 18, 2025 the train is approaching Genesee Road. (misc70436d)
After learn more and see you guys's photo works more,
I always feel not good enough for my earlier photo works,
maybe this means i am keeping increasing my sense of art...
But sometimes i think that is not so improtant,
just have fun and take photos is enough...
Peace Bridge - Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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BDZ locomotive 44 126 with train 2610 Varna - Gorna Oryahovitsa - Sofia which has added carriages to accommodate the extra passengers for 22 September - Bulgaria's National Independence Day
With the recent cold weather we've been having lately, we've noticed an increase in the number of Goldfinches showing up at the feeders.
Today, with the arrival of Winter Storm Enzo and the snow that came with it, the Goldfinches seemed to be coming out of the woodwork! Just about any feeder that had some kind of seed, also had a handful of Goldies!
This swing feeder, filled with a mix of pepper treated nuts and sunflower meats, became very popular as the snow continued throughout the day.
Taken through one of the sunroom windows, so not as clear as I'd like.
The Bobwhite population is in serious decline throughout its range. It's especially bad in FL. I was privileged to find this one yesterday in Marion County, FL. In Florida the US Department of Agriculture estimates it at 80% over the past 50 years. A special program is being offered to farmers to improve farming methods to preserve and increase habitat. Below is a news release if you are interested in more details.
Florida’s Northern Bobwhite Quail Decline
Sign up by May 19 for financial assistance to build habitat
GAINESVILLE, Fla., May 2, 2017 --The Bobwhite Quail in Florida is in trouble. In fact, populations across Florida and throughout the southeastern US have dropped from an estimated 31 million to only 5.5 million in the past 50 years. That’s 80 percent of the population just gone. Habitat loss is the leading contributing factor to the quail’s demise. Bobwhites need frequently burned open pine savannas and rangelands to provide food, nesting and brood habitat and escape cover. Thinned pine stands (< 60 sq ft. /ac) and lower density pine plantings (< 500 trees / acre) are important to provide an open canopy that allows sunlight to the ground for food and nesting and brood habitat. Clumps of bunch grasses such as bluestems, Indian grass and wiregrass provide excellent nesting sites. Forbs such as ragweed, partridge pea and beggars tick provide food, cover and the bare ground essential for travel and finding seed. Shrubby areas with plants such as green briar, blackberry, plum thickets and yaupon provide quail escape cover from predators, protect them from cold or heat, and can be used as loafing sites. Throughout Florida, changes in farm and timber practices have left little room for bobwhites. Pine stands are too thick with brush to provide habitat for quail. Many farms that once provided nesting and escape cover have cleared fence rows and left little ground for nesting and brood rearing. Former rangelands in the Panhandle have been converted to Bahia or Bermuda pasture which provide minimal benefit to bobwhites. But these trends can be reversed. By applying a few practices, landowners can restore habitat by frequent prescribed burning, cutting back brush, thinning dense pine stands or disking. Through a special 2017 signup ending May 19, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is helping landowners restore quail and other pine savanna species that share the northern bobwhite range. NRCS will take applications for 2018 if you do not make the May 19 deadline. If you are interested in learning more, contact your local NRCS district conservationist at www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/fl/contact or FWC private lands biologist at www.myfwc.com/conservation/special-initiatives/lap/contac... .
More information on Bobwhite Quail is available at the NRCS Wildlife Habitat Management Institute, www.whmi.nrcs.usda.gov, the National Bobwhite Quail Initiative, www.bringbackbobwhites.org , Quail Forever, www.quailforever.org , or The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, www.myfwc.com .
For increased tendered services won after GHA Coaches ceased trading has allowed Howards to invest in some new vehicles. One of two ADL Enviros is seen in Knutsford Bus Station operating former GHA service 27 to Macclesfield.
Knutsford Bus Station - 2017.
To see the full collection: www.busphotosuk.co.uk.
For photos available for purchase: www.ebay.co.uk/usr/busphotosuk